25 DaYs Of ChRiStMaS - Day 22

Day 22 - Catching Up With Old Friends

Tonight we went to our dear friends David & Stephanie's for dinner. We met David & Stephanie in the early 90s when we were all in the Young Marrieds class at our church in Dallas. At the time, none of us had children, and we spent a lot of time with that group from our church. There is something really special about that time in our lives. When we were all living in apartments or our first houses. When we were all finding out that we were expecting our first babies. When our weekend schedules were full of basketball games and Bible studies and baby showers. There were many people in that class that we love but sadly, only a few that we have kept in touch with. As time has passed, we have all moved away from the part of town where we lived back then, most of us have moved on to other churches, and we have all had more babies and gotten busy with raising our families. A few times a year, we try to get together to keep in touch. Tonight was one of those times, and in addition to seeing David & Stephanie, we saw our friends Paul & Amber, Steve & Tammie, and Brian & Margie. Something about being with them all just makes me feel comfortable. It somehow takes me back to the good ol' days. We have all basically grown up together, and though we don't see each other nearly enough, we instantly pick up where we left off last time. We know each other... we are those kids that met in that Young Marrieds class way back when. Except now we have children that are almost teenagers. We have more gray hair or less hair all together. We know the jokes that this one or that one is going to tell - because they have told the same joke every time that we have gotten together for over 15 years. We share memories of times that we have spent together and let each other know what is going on in our life at the moment. It is family. And I love it. And I miss it. So, each year at Christmas it is a highlight for me when we get together and reconnect. Share some time with our "lifelong friends" as David called us tonight. Even though our paths don't cross nearly often enough, our hearts are forever linked, and seeing each one of these people at Christmas is part of what makes the holiday so special for me.